I give plasma to supplement my budget for food, which usually gets diverted to my budget for buying books. It's an unnatural habit, I know. lol Today, the wait for giving plasma was surprisingly long. I read half of my new book The Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks. Nothing is better in this world than summer time reading, no matter where you find the time to enjoy it at!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
The Tale of my Lost Package: A Lesson in Communication and Management Skills
So, I ordered something off of Amazon.com recently. It's a package that I'm pretty excited to get and really hoped it would travel quickly to my abode. It got stuck in New Berlin, Wisconsin, for one whole day (came in at 5AM and left at 9PM) and Madison, Wisconsin, for another day (came into shipment at 5AM yesterday and didn't leave on the truck until 9AM today). I can understand, sort of, how the process could be slower than I'd like. It must take a lot of time and sorting to get things on the proper trucks and to the proper places. Such delays I can handle.
Tonight, though, I discover my apartment management has locked my package away! It doesn't fit in our crummy old mailboxes and neither do most letters or magazines. The package was taken to the office of the apartment management company across the street. They then in turn lock it in a room under the stairs. I can get into the building with the same door code as my building (all of their buildings use the same code). I assumed that the room would open with the "building key" that I have. It seems like a common practice to have a building key that opens community spaces to paying renters. This key opens all the laundry rooms in this company's apartments and so forth for us. Alas, there is only one key for the package room which belongs in the office and is not even close to being the building key. This really shouldn't be too big of a problem, just go to the office tomorrow when they open, right? Except the office is open for only a few short hours in the middle of the day. They keep worse hours than the bank! Opening at 9:30AM wouldn't be so bad if they stayed open until later in the evening. However, they close at 5PM. I, like a normal adult, work all day. I leave shortly after 9AM and get home after 7PM. I've tried calling them over my one hour lunch break, but that's when they go on lunch. Impossible, I tell you, impossible!!!
Communication has been rough with this management group my whole lease period. I'm going home for the weekend and won't be able to get there until next friday during their hours if I can't get it before leaving. I decided to try and call the emergency number. Yes, I know it's not an emergency, but it was worth a shot. A very nice gentlemen from a different management company answered and looked into finding a solution for me. His supervisor said it wasn't an emergency so I'd have to call the office number. I know my generation is slow, but I'm not so stupid that I wouldn't have called that number if it would have helped. The office not being open was part of my problem. So, the phone guy called the manager for me. He unfortunately had to call me back with the response. The manager said that if I had called in advance and worked something out it could have been done. Since I was responsible enough to do that, I'd have to wait. ;lakdjfopieajf;lisaj! RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT DOESN'T LOCK MAIL AWAY FROM TENANTS, LACK EFFICIENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS, OR HAVE NO FLEXIBILITY FOR THE RENTERS IT SERVES. I contained my frustration and thanked the poor emergency phone guy for all his hard work. Inside I was screaming. This has been my last straw with Randall Park Rentals.
If I had the time I would launch a massive internet campaign against them. Instead I shall warn all Madison rentals to avoid their apartments. My apartment is dingy and falling apart and had cockroaches. It's overpriced. They won't communicate with you on anything. If you contact them first, miraculously getting a hold of them, they fail to talk to other members of management or take notes and will forget any conversation or important details before the next time to speak with them. WORST PLACE EVER! okay, maybe not ever. . . but pretty close.
That's the end of my rant. I feel better now. lol Have a good night and may all your mail reach you safely and quickly!
Tonight, though, I discover my apartment management has locked my package away! It doesn't fit in our crummy old mailboxes and neither do most letters or magazines. The package was taken to the office of the apartment management company across the street. They then in turn lock it in a room under the stairs. I can get into the building with the same door code as my building (all of their buildings use the same code). I assumed that the room would open with the "building key" that I have. It seems like a common practice to have a building key that opens community spaces to paying renters. This key opens all the laundry rooms in this company's apartments and so forth for us. Alas, there is only one key for the package room which belongs in the office and is not even close to being the building key. This really shouldn't be too big of a problem, just go to the office tomorrow when they open, right? Except the office is open for only a few short hours in the middle of the day. They keep worse hours than the bank! Opening at 9:30AM wouldn't be so bad if they stayed open until later in the evening. However, they close at 5PM. I, like a normal adult, work all day. I leave shortly after 9AM and get home after 7PM. I've tried calling them over my one hour lunch break, but that's when they go on lunch. Impossible, I tell you, impossible!!!
Communication has been rough with this management group my whole lease period. I'm going home for the weekend and won't be able to get there until next friday during their hours if I can't get it before leaving. I decided to try and call the emergency number. Yes, I know it's not an emergency, but it was worth a shot. A very nice gentlemen from a different management company answered and looked into finding a solution for me. His supervisor said it wasn't an emergency so I'd have to call the office number. I know my generation is slow, but I'm not so stupid that I wouldn't have called that number if it would have helped. The office not being open was part of my problem. So, the phone guy called the manager for me. He unfortunately had to call me back with the response. The manager said that if I had called in advance and worked something out it could have been done. Since I was responsible enough to do that, I'd have to wait. ;lakdjfopieajf;lisaj! RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT DOESN'T LOCK MAIL AWAY FROM TENANTS, LACK EFFICIENT COMMUNICATION SKILLS, OR HAVE NO FLEXIBILITY FOR THE RENTERS IT SERVES. I contained my frustration and thanked the poor emergency phone guy for all his hard work. Inside I was screaming. This has been my last straw with Randall Park Rentals.
If I had the time I would launch a massive internet campaign against them. Instead I shall warn all Madison rentals to avoid their apartments. My apartment is dingy and falling apart and had cockroaches. It's overpriced. They won't communicate with you on anything. If you contact them first, miraculously getting a hold of them, they fail to talk to other members of management or take notes and will forget any conversation or important details before the next time to speak with them. WORST PLACE EVER! okay, maybe not ever. . . but pretty close.
That's the end of my rant. I feel better now. lol Have a good night and may all your mail reach you safely and quickly!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Siblings
My older brother was in town this weekend. He is much older, over a decade, than me. It provides endless material for me to tease him about. It also seems to encourage him to continually think of me as a twelve year old. Obviously, that gets annoying as I am not any where close to being twelve anymore. This weekend, though, we got drinks at a local bar after work. I was surprisingly shocked that he treated me like, can you believe it, an adult! Finally, I have outgrown whatever crazy image of adolescence he thought I inhabited. Things are looking up. Now, all I have to do is get my big sister to grow up. lol
Monday, May 7, 2012
Feed the Dragons!
So, there has been a lot, and I mean a lot, of fuss about the new trilogy 50 Shades of Grey by EL James. I'm going to go into a bunch of my own opinions on this book and some of the issues surrounding it. Take all that I write with a grain of salt. Also, if you are not over 18 years of age or just frankly find sex an uncomfortable topic, you should leave. Any terms that are unfamiliar to you can be found here.
My warning is my first point as well. This book is about a relationship between ADULTS. They are entitled to make their own decisions as long as those decisions don't hurt others just like you're entitled to do. Both adults have to be in a place where they can consent. That means no alcohol or drugs. In this book the guy, Christian, and dominate gives the girl, Ana, and submissive plenty of time to think over her decision in committing to this relationship. There is a lot of alcohol in the book, but conversations happen during sobriety, too, thus the issue of alcohol isn't relevant. Both participants don't do any type of drugs. You could argue that consent can't be given because Christian has some serious issues about the abuse of his childhood. I'd agree that abuse can put people into positions where they can't give consent. However, he is currently in therapy where he can openly discuss how his abuse and BDSM play into this new relationship. He communicates his issues with Ana, reluctantly yes (who wouldn't be!) but still they are communicated. I think that elevates concerns about consent in regards to abuse.
It's a book and it has graphic sex scenes. The genre most people call it is romance but having spent 11 years working in libraries, I'd call it erotica. Many in the media and on other blogs are dubbing these novels as "mommy porn." Frankly, I'm pretty sure that mom's of all ages have been watching porn long before this book. Talk about sexist. As if porn is only for men! Erotica or "Literature or art intended to arouse sexual desire." has been around for years, try ancient Greece and Rome (Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter). Even the Judeo-Christian tradition includes the Song of Songs. Racey stuff! This isn't new people. It's not a revolution. The BDSM romance novels alone have been increasing dramatically the last decade. (oh the freedom of ebooks!)
Having recognized the long tradition of erotica in the written form, let's not get carried away with our expectations. I don't think most authors of erotica are planning to sweep readers away with their moving plot lines, deep riveting emotional changes, and sophisticated literary techniques. They will surely include bits and pieces of good writing. Occasionally, a piece of erotica will surprise you with it's fanciful descriptions and depth. That exception doesn't take away from the goal of arousing the reader. No one wants to read ten pages of landscape description when they pick this book up; they want sex. It's not high literature. . . it's erotica.
My warning is my first point as well. This book is about a relationship between ADULTS. They are entitled to make their own decisions as long as those decisions don't hurt others just like you're entitled to do. Both adults have to be in a place where they can consent. That means no alcohol or drugs. In this book the guy, Christian, and dominate gives the girl, Ana, and submissive plenty of time to think over her decision in committing to this relationship. There is a lot of alcohol in the book, but conversations happen during sobriety, too, thus the issue of alcohol isn't relevant. Both participants don't do any type of drugs. You could argue that consent can't be given because Christian has some serious issues about the abuse of his childhood. I'd agree that abuse can put people into positions where they can't give consent. However, he is currently in therapy where he can openly discuss how his abuse and BDSM play into this new relationship. He communicates his issues with Ana, reluctantly yes (who wouldn't be!) but still they are communicated. I think that elevates concerns about consent in regards to abuse.
It's a book and it has graphic sex scenes. The genre most people call it is romance but having spent 11 years working in libraries, I'd call it erotica. Many in the media and on other blogs are dubbing these novels as "mommy porn." Frankly, I'm pretty sure that mom's of all ages have been watching porn long before this book. Talk about sexist. As if porn is only for men! Erotica or "Literature or art intended to arouse sexual desire." has been around for years, try ancient Greece and Rome (Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter). Even the Judeo-Christian tradition includes the Song of Songs. Racey stuff! This isn't new people. It's not a revolution. The BDSM romance novels alone have been increasing dramatically the last decade. (oh the freedom of ebooks!)
Having recognized the long tradition of erotica in the written form, let's not get carried away with our expectations. I don't think most authors of erotica are planning to sweep readers away with their moving plot lines, deep riveting emotional changes, and sophisticated literary techniques. They will surely include bits and pieces of good writing. Occasionally, a piece of erotica will surprise you with it's fanciful descriptions and depth. That exception doesn't take away from the goal of arousing the reader. No one wants to read ten pages of landscape description when they pick this book up; they want sex. It's not high literature. . . it's erotica.
If BDSM isn't your kink, don't read it. (Please, I pray I don't need to explain this)
Ooo, now my pet peeve of this current obsession with the book. A Florida library has banned the series of books. They had copies on order, flying off the shelf, and then suddenly it has to go because of its "pornographic nature." The same library has the Kama Sutra on its shelves. A decision to keep anyone under the age of 18 from checking it out, fine. Otherwise, they are going against the ethical code for libraries. This code is all about equitable access and keeping personal bias out of providing needed services. Who cares if the book makes you squeemy Flordia librarians?! Your patrons want to read it, and it brings in new people to your awesome fortress of information. Feed the damn dragons!!
Other people have issues with the BDSM elements in general. It is a step backward for women. It reinforces abusive relationships. It creates an unhealthy environment to raise a family in. Ect. People have, believe it or not, been involved in BDSM for many centuries. Today our world has given it new flashy terms and it's getting a lot of media hype and attention (so is sex of any type, really). Good for it and the kinky people who love it. Why should people be ashamed to enjoy whatever consensual sex they want to have? It's not about putting women in their place. Men can and are submissive, too. It's about exploring how power is involved in sex and trusting your partner soooo much that you allow them to do unspeakable things to you. It's about communicating intimately enough that you know when and what your partner needs and wants. Vanilla relationships could learn a thing or two from the kinkersters out there.
BDSM is great for those who are interested in it. Two caveats, though. One - This is NOT a how-to book. There are plenty of resources, especially books, that deal with the details of what to do and not to do. Books that walk you step-by-step on how to tie your lover up. Books that explain what each side will feel and get out of the experience. A good one to start with is SM 101. Or head to google and find a local educational BDSM group. No, the people won't kill you or be creepy. They will be nice and very understanding about your curiosity as long as you are polite and respectful (trust me, I know a few of these nice people!). Two - Don't try this stuff without getting the information and knowledge beforehand. Sure many couples do things like fuzzy handcuffs or light spanking without knowing anything about BDSM. Great, but if you want to tie your partner from the ceiling (suspension) or use an implement like a cane or whip, please, please go educate yourself. You'll learn helpful things like how to talk about limits and safewords and sub/topspace along the way.
50 Shades of Grey is an interesting trilogy and does a decent job for it's genre. Don't get all bent out of shape, World, because you're just now figuring out that these things exist in our beautiful world.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Five Drafts Later. . .
I have five drafts sitting on my blog dashboard from the past couple months just waiting for me to publish. The problem is I hate them all. They either sound more whinny than usual, reveal too much for the internet, or are just rubbish. Let's hope this one goes better.
My sister has been in and out of the hospital for the last couple months including one stint that lasted three and a half weeks. I had forgotten how distasteful hospital trips are. It always seems more dire and intense the first few days. There always this long period of training involved with her hospital trips. Her rare genetic disease (IFOPA) makes her unique and, frankly, a pain in the ass to take care of. Nurses and doctors alike have a lot of trouble just figuring out how to do the normal things like taking blood samples from her. Plus she can be a bit temperamental. To aid in the training process and for the mental health of all those involved the family took shifts at the hospital. I took the night shift. You don't really get any sleep on these shifts. My parents were amazing as always. They realized when I was reaching critical and sent me home. I love my sister. It's just hard to love her when she's being demanding and depressing. I have little patience for people who complain without making any effort at changing things in their lives. I'll give her credit that a great deal of the stuff she deals with is medically related and not mutable. However, since she's the one who taught me to be stubbornly independent the rest of the self-depreciating crap I cannot forgive. I'll keep bugging her in my little sister way to take chances and live instead of just ruminating in her own foggy memory. We'll see how that and her deteriorating health goes in the next few months.
I also had some unfortunate news come about school. I've been working to save money for transferring to UW-Madison to finish my degree in physics. I found out that they flat out rejected me. They accepted that there were extenuating circumstances affecting my school work at Crieghton and even said I'm probably a very capable individual. They just didn't want me at their school. So, I must find a way to prove myself to them or find other avenues of education. I can go to the local technical school that has a very popular and successful transfer program. I'd take some math and science classes that I don't really need but hopefully will show them that I can handle school again. I could also apply to be a special student and take classes at UW that I need. I just wouldn't technically be a student, register last, and have to pay for all costs completely out of pocket. Finally, I could give Madison and go to UW-Milwaukee who has accepted me but has only a fair-to-middlin program. I already have a lease for next year at a great house with garden space. I have a job that is flexible with paid time-off accumulated for test days next year or a possible promotion at the library (the field I want to be in!). I like Madison as a city far more than grungy Milwaukee. I'm made sacrifices to see Madison become my next step in success. I'm just not liking my choices right now and really beating myself up for not somehow being smarter and stronger and more efficient at Crieghton. Gah!!
On to more positive news, I will be serving as an adult leader for the mission trip in Chicago I go to every year. I'm super excited to go back again and lead in a new way. There is a lot of preparation to do before the week in June. If anyone knows any good quotes about community, please send them my way.
I know there is more to say about all the good stuff. I'm just running out of room. I'll hopefully let you know more about the awesome next time. I'm making choices and things should be lining up for a great summer. That's really the most important thing at this point.
I shall leave you with this link to musical thrill. It's a group of strings from the UK who take advantage of being gorgeous, talented women and electronics. The original of this song is also on the Matrix soundtrack.
My sister has been in and out of the hospital for the last couple months including one stint that lasted three and a half weeks. I had forgotten how distasteful hospital trips are. It always seems more dire and intense the first few days. There always this long period of training involved with her hospital trips. Her rare genetic disease (IFOPA) makes her unique and, frankly, a pain in the ass to take care of. Nurses and doctors alike have a lot of trouble just figuring out how to do the normal things like taking blood samples from her. Plus she can be a bit temperamental. To aid in the training process and for the mental health of all those involved the family took shifts at the hospital. I took the night shift. You don't really get any sleep on these shifts. My parents were amazing as always. They realized when I was reaching critical and sent me home. I love my sister. It's just hard to love her when she's being demanding and depressing. I have little patience for people who complain without making any effort at changing things in their lives. I'll give her credit that a great deal of the stuff she deals with is medically related and not mutable. However, since she's the one who taught me to be stubbornly independent the rest of the self-depreciating crap I cannot forgive. I'll keep bugging her in my little sister way to take chances and live instead of just ruminating in her own foggy memory. We'll see how that and her deteriorating health goes in the next few months.
I also had some unfortunate news come about school. I've been working to save money for transferring to UW-Madison to finish my degree in physics. I found out that they flat out rejected me. They accepted that there were extenuating circumstances affecting my school work at Crieghton and even said I'm probably a very capable individual. They just didn't want me at their school. So, I must find a way to prove myself to them or find other avenues of education. I can go to the local technical school that has a very popular and successful transfer program. I'd take some math and science classes that I don't really need but hopefully will show them that I can handle school again. I could also apply to be a special student and take classes at UW that I need. I just wouldn't technically be a student, register last, and have to pay for all costs completely out of pocket. Finally, I could give Madison and go to UW-Milwaukee who has accepted me but has only a fair-to-middlin program. I already have a lease for next year at a great house with garden space. I have a job that is flexible with paid time-off accumulated for test days next year or a possible promotion at the library (the field I want to be in!). I like Madison as a city far more than grungy Milwaukee. I'm made sacrifices to see Madison become my next step in success. I'm just not liking my choices right now and really beating myself up for not somehow being smarter and stronger and more efficient at Crieghton. Gah!!
On to more positive news, I will be serving as an adult leader for the mission trip in Chicago I go to every year. I'm super excited to go back again and lead in a new way. There is a lot of preparation to do before the week in June. If anyone knows any good quotes about community, please send them my way.
I know there is more to say about all the good stuff. I'm just running out of room. I'll hopefully let you know more about the awesome next time. I'm making choices and things should be lining up for a great summer. That's really the most important thing at this point.
I shall leave you with this link to musical thrill. It's a group of strings from the UK who take advantage of being gorgeous, talented women and electronics. The original of this song is also on the Matrix soundtrack.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Winter Nights
There are nights that just seem to blaze with clarity. It strikes me every so often as I'm walking home in the chilly, winter moonlight that these are the moments that are the most real to me. Every day I wake-up and go to work. I chat away with friends and co-workers. I pass a multitude of businesses and cars all filled with people I may or may not know. This life just seems to run on auto-pilot. I've made decisions that set the course of my daily life; there is little room for maneuvering when you have rent to pay and goals to reach.
Then those silent moments when even the city drifts away glide over me and reassure me that I could walk all night, away from the city, away from the thousands of people I will never know, without feeling anything but the comfort of thought. I socialized this weekend. Shocking, I know, but I really did make an effort to go out and see what all this city life is supposed to be like. My roommate and her friend (well I guess my friend, too, now) went to dinner and then back to her place. She had invited some people she knew from a school organization over. There was some music and a bit of drinking. It was fairly tame. While I enjoy meeting new people, this was not a meet new people type of event. This was a we've-been-awkwardly-thrown-together-I'm-going-to-ignore-you type. I left early on the excuse that I had work in the morning, which I did. I put headphones in and listened to Ferry Corsten's electronica on my way home in the fresh snow pretending that I didn't just attend that weird event. I don't usually understand how students in Madison and listen to their Ipod while walking or on the bus and ignore the world. That night I did. It doesn't matter that my fingers are cold or that I can't find the sidewalk in all the snow.
The only thing that matters is the feeling of connection in a place that seems to destroy the very connections we need as humans to our origins and selves. That connection brings all the wandering thoughts of the week into sudden focus. No more doubts, lack of foresight, or inability to communicate. When the chill of the wind and the steady beat of my feet against the ground collide, I am left in perfect understanding.
Then those silent moments when even the city drifts away glide over me and reassure me that I could walk all night, away from the city, away from the thousands of people I will never know, without feeling anything but the comfort of thought. I socialized this weekend. Shocking, I know, but I really did make an effort to go out and see what all this city life is supposed to be like. My roommate and her friend (well I guess my friend, too, now) went to dinner and then back to her place. She had invited some people she knew from a school organization over. There was some music and a bit of drinking. It was fairly tame. While I enjoy meeting new people, this was not a meet new people type of event. This was a we've-been-awkwardly-thrown-together-I'm-going-to-ignore-you type. I left early on the excuse that I had work in the morning, which I did. I put headphones in and listened to Ferry Corsten's electronica on my way home in the fresh snow pretending that I didn't just attend that weird event. I don't usually understand how students in Madison and listen to their Ipod while walking or on the bus and ignore the world. That night I did. It doesn't matter that my fingers are cold or that I can't find the sidewalk in all the snow.
The only thing that matters is the feeling of connection in a place that seems to destroy the very connections we need as humans to our origins and selves. That connection brings all the wandering thoughts of the week into sudden focus. No more doubts, lack of foresight, or inability to communicate. When the chill of the wind and the steady beat of my feet against the ground collide, I am left in perfect understanding.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Craigslist: Torture for Grammar Nazis
I am currently searching for an apartment for next year. Since my social life has been next to zero this year, I have resorted to using Craigslist. The roommate and apartment I'm living with right now is working out exceptionally well. While I discovered her on craigslist as well, it appears that such magic cannot easily be reproduced.
I'm a clean person; some people would say I'm obsessively clean. I assure you I've gotten much better and have lowered my standards. Community spaces are fair game for the occasional mess or such. I don't demand dishes to be washed immediately. See? I'm reasonable. It turns out, however, the rest of the world likes to leave crap laying out 24/7 and doesn't have a problem with guests seeing dirty counters and clothes laying out.
I also believe that living with intelligent people is a good idea. If you cannot post an ad on Craigslist that is coherent and void of grammatical errors, you are not a person I want to live with. For instance, this is a direct quote from an ad I read today.
I'm a clean person; some people would say I'm obsessively clean. I assure you I've gotten much better and have lowered my standards. Community spaces are fair game for the occasional mess or such. I don't demand dishes to be washed immediately. See? I'm reasonable. It turns out, however, the rest of the world likes to leave crap laying out 24/7 and doesn't have a problem with guests seeing dirty counters and clothes laying out.
I also believe that living with intelligent people is a good idea. If you cannot post an ad on Craigslist that is coherent and void of grammatical errors, you are not a person I want to live with. For instance, this is a direct quote from an ad I read today.
"Don't want to leave so manybe room share with female. some furnishings included loveseat and dishes but make it your own. needs a womans touch possible companionship. no cable but can add in but hi speed internet. serious inquiries only. late 40's male. send pic and brief bio."
Besides the obvious creepy factor of the ad, the grammar is terrible. No one is perfect and the internet does allow for more leeway in many situations like chat and facebook, but this is too much.
Once you find a decent ad and establish a line of communication, a meeting or showing usually happens. I hate these. It's like a first date except weirder. Dating is awkward enough. I really don't understand the rules and usually say strange things that prolly shouldn't be said. Well, I do the same thing when meeting potential roommates. I also have this list of questions running through my head that should help me figure out if this is where I really want to live. One or two questions usually get lost in the conversation. It makes me so frustrated because I can't easily go back and ask those later without sounding crazy.
While I'll keep responding to ads and searching, I'll be glad when this process is over!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
I have been told repeatedly during the last couple weeks of festivities that my blog was enjoyed by many friends and family members (yet only I have seven followers? What does this say about my readership, eh? lol). So, rather than let this place kind of subside, I shall do my utmost to lead a somewhat engaging life and document it.That might sound like a fairly easy thing to do to you, but I'm afraid I currently am somewhat lacking when it comes to social/exciting/adventurous activities.
Most days I go to work for three hours at the State Law Library. Then I have an hour to eat lunch and walk to my second job at the University Bookstore. I get home around 7:30 and work most weekends. This is great when it comes to paying bills but not so great for finding adventures. I shall strive to do more!
My library job is a great opportunity for me to network in a field I hope to soon go into. It also allows me to add more experience to my resume and find those specific areas in the field where I hope to specialize. I can safely say law librarianship is not my specialty. It's interesting that the material updates so frequently. They use a great deal of online resources to enable quick access for the judges, lawyers, legal aids, and members of the public to the changing opinions and judgements. However, the information itself is either very dull or of the I-don't-really-want-to-torture-myself-reading-about-the-evils-mankind-is-capable-of type. Not my cup of tea. Still, the skills I'm learning will be useful and easily transferable to other jobs.
I'm sure everyone reading this has been to a library of some type before. If you haven't, I STRONGLY suggest you get up and go to your nearest public library. Motivation to explore your library does not have to come from homework; actually, it's better if it's just for the fun of it. Anyway, on to my point. . . Libraries are organized. That's kinda the point of having libraries, organizing information. This way people can find information and use it. One way of organizing information, specially books, is to put a call number (set of numbers and letters following a certain system like Dewey or Library of Congress) on the side of the books. It's a simple concept, A comes before B which comes before C, ect. .
Now, my current library does the same thing. Usually, in our system, in a series of books each new edition of the book gets a new subsection to organize it by. For example old books KF 300 R43 v.1 -10 verses new books KF 300 R45 v.1-10 (kinda more complicated, but well use this as a simple example). The old books are then shelved before the new books. This library has the same call numbers, but THEN SHELVES THEM OUT OF ORDER!!!!! It drives me crazy! Why write out call numbers at all if you are just going to shelve them willy nilly. So, they want the books in order according to the series, fine, no problem. Then the call numbers should stop at KF 300 R4 v. 1-10
Most days I go to work for three hours at the State Law Library. Then I have an hour to eat lunch and walk to my second job at the University Bookstore. I get home around 7:30 and work most weekends. This is great when it comes to paying bills but not so great for finding adventures. I shall strive to do more!
My library job is a great opportunity for me to network in a field I hope to soon go into. It also allows me to add more experience to my resume and find those specific areas in the field where I hope to specialize. I can safely say law librarianship is not my specialty. It's interesting that the material updates so frequently. They use a great deal of online resources to enable quick access for the judges, lawyers, legal aids, and members of the public to the changing opinions and judgements. However, the information itself is either very dull or of the I-don't-really-want-to-torture-myself-reading-about-the-evils-mankind-is-capable-of type. Not my cup of tea. Still, the skills I'm learning will be useful and easily transferable to other jobs.
I'm sure everyone reading this has been to a library of some type before. If you haven't, I STRONGLY suggest you get up and go to your nearest public library. Motivation to explore your library does not have to come from homework; actually, it's better if it's just for the fun of it. Anyway, on to my point. . . Libraries are organized. That's kinda the point of having libraries, organizing information. This way people can find information and use it. One way of organizing information, specially books, is to put a call number (set of numbers and letters following a certain system like Dewey or Library of Congress) on the side of the books. It's a simple concept, A comes before B which comes before C, ect. .
Now, my current library does the same thing. Usually, in our system, in a series of books each new edition of the book gets a new subsection to organize it by. For example old books KF 300 R43 v.1 -10 verses new books KF 300 R45 v.1-10 (kinda more complicated, but well use this as a simple example). The old books are then shelved before the new books. This library has the same call numbers, but THEN SHELVES THEM OUT OF ORDER!!!!! It drives me crazy! Why write out call numbers at all if you are just going to shelve them willy nilly. So, they want the books in order according to the series, fine, no problem. Then the call numbers should stop at KF 300 R4 v. 1-10
Monday, August 22, 2011
New City, New Perspectives
I have recently moved into an apartment in Madison, WI. I live very close to campus and all the people and noise that that entails. It's nice to once again be around people. It's nice not having to plan two weeks in advance to do an errand run. I think I'm glad to be here, but that could change in a couple weeks when school starts up.
I won't be starting school this semester. I'm going to wait until the Spring semester to transfer. Hopefully, this gives me time to work and save up some money. I'm working at the State Law Library part-time. It's a nice library. I'll get to boost my resume with some new programs and special skills. Training this week is just proving to be a little slow. I've done many of the tasks already. If the training was more structured, I could be done in two days. At this rate I won't be done until the end of the week. I'm also hoping that the UW Bookstore will hire me. I had an interview which went well. Now I just get to wait to hear back from them. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Work should keep me busy this semester, even if I have to do some more searching for a second position. (I have an application for a full time library position at a Madison Public library. However, I'm not super confident I'll get a call for an interview on that one. I think they're looking for someone older. Silly stereotypes getting in my way!)
But what am I to do when I'm not working? I'm on a very, very tight budget. That cuts out going out and meeting people in bars and such. I'm not in classes or even a student, so those welcome week events aren't open to me. I am living with a nursing student, Sarah. She seems really nice, but she's at home this week. I'm not sure if we'll have a close relationship since we haven't spent much time together, yet. I could look up some of the people from Rio who are attending Madison. I just think it would be weird if I'm like "Hey, we haven't talked for six years or so. Want to hang out?" I wasn't super close friends with the people in my class from East Troy who came here, either. I'll just have to do some brain storming I suppose. Who knows, maybe I'll meet people when I go to give plasma tomorrow.
I won't be starting school this semester. I'm going to wait until the Spring semester to transfer. Hopefully, this gives me time to work and save up some money. I'm working at the State Law Library part-time. It's a nice library. I'll get to boost my resume with some new programs and special skills. Training this week is just proving to be a little slow. I've done many of the tasks already. If the training was more structured, I could be done in two days. At this rate I won't be done until the end of the week. I'm also hoping that the UW Bookstore will hire me. I had an interview which went well. Now I just get to wait to hear back from them. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Work should keep me busy this semester, even if I have to do some more searching for a second position. (I have an application for a full time library position at a Madison Public library. However, I'm not super confident I'll get a call for an interview on that one. I think they're looking for someone older. Silly stereotypes getting in my way!)
But what am I to do when I'm not working? I'm on a very, very tight budget. That cuts out going out and meeting people in bars and such. I'm not in classes or even a student, so those welcome week events aren't open to me. I am living with a nursing student, Sarah. She seems really nice, but she's at home this week. I'm not sure if we'll have a close relationship since we haven't spent much time together, yet. I could look up some of the people from Rio who are attending Madison. I just think it would be weird if I'm like "Hey, we haven't talked for six years or so. Want to hang out?" I wasn't super close friends with the people in my class from East Troy who came here, either. I'll just have to do some brain storming I suppose. Who knows, maybe I'll meet people when I go to give plasma tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Summer Between
I'm long overdue for an update here. Once I arrived in the US after my week long journey filled with miscommunications and cultural frustrations, I wasn't really in the right mind set to post on what the readjustment has been like. So, a month later I'm finally writing this.
There are days where Georgia seems like a long ago dream. There are others that make me regret my decision not to renew my contract. Overall, I'm making the big adjustments (transferring to UW Madison in the spring, moving to Madison this fall, getting a job) that I need to in order to continue on in life. I'm enjoying seeing friends and spending time with family. I can once again drive and understand all the conversations around me not just bits and pieces. I have all my luxuries like free wi-fi and easily accessed libraries. It's been a good month back.
However, I still say "modloba" instead of "thank you" sometimes. I think our money looks weird and really, really miss Georgian coins (kinda an odd thing to miss, but I never said I was normal did I?). I have a ton of stories to tell people, but when I'm asked about my trip I'm at a loss of words. I can no longer cross the street like an American and find myself bracing for the crazy driving of Georgia. I miss bargaining for things at the market. Almost everyday I see or read something that gives me an idea for a lesson plan. Those are the days that I want to jump on a plane and fly back.
I don't know how to bring this to a close. I'm still in an inbetween place when it comes to my thoughts and feelings about the whole experience. I wouldn't change my decision to go to Georgia, but there are many challenges that I wish I could have been more prepared to handle. I recommend the program to anyone who is considering taking the risk of volunteering overseas. I walked away knowing and being more than I imagined (I had some pretty high expectations about how I'd change too, so that's saying something).I want to go back, and I want to travel more.
I'll just have to find some more adventures while I save up the money to do just that.
There are days where Georgia seems like a long ago dream. There are others that make me regret my decision not to renew my contract. Overall, I'm making the big adjustments (transferring to UW Madison in the spring, moving to Madison this fall, getting a job) that I need to in order to continue on in life. I'm enjoying seeing friends and spending time with family. I can once again drive and understand all the conversations around me not just bits and pieces. I have all my luxuries like free wi-fi and easily accessed libraries. It's been a good month back.
However, I still say "modloba" instead of "thank you" sometimes. I think our money looks weird and really, really miss Georgian coins (kinda an odd thing to miss, but I never said I was normal did I?). I have a ton of stories to tell people, but when I'm asked about my trip I'm at a loss of words. I can no longer cross the street like an American and find myself bracing for the crazy driving of Georgia. I miss bargaining for things at the market. Almost everyday I see or read something that gives me an idea for a lesson plan. Those are the days that I want to jump on a plane and fly back.
I don't know how to bring this to a close. I'm still in an inbetween place when it comes to my thoughts and feelings about the whole experience. I wouldn't change my decision to go to Georgia, but there are many challenges that I wish I could have been more prepared to handle. I recommend the program to anyone who is considering taking the risk of volunteering overseas. I walked away knowing and being more than I imagined (I had some pretty high expectations about how I'd change too, so that's saying something).I want to go back, and I want to travel more.
I'll just have to find some more adventures while I save up the money to do just that.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Neverending Ticket
From my last post you might be thinking that I'm on my way back to the states. Sadly, you would be terribly wrong.
Getting your ticket from a Georgian travel agency is like trying to solve non-linear equations with your 8th grade math book. The basic skills should theoretically help you at least gain a very general idea of what is happening. Can I, using my skills of traveling in America, gain a general idea of what is happening with my trip home? Nope. It just isn't going to happen. A difficult task has become completely impossible and not the fun impossible of "oh, look I found infinity."
Many, many mouths ago I emailed TLG telling them I would not be extending my contract. I would need to fly home between June 15-17 because I would be assisting a mission trip in Chicago. I did this probably three times all within each new deadline. Two months ago I specifically emailed Alex, the flight coordinator, to make sure he received my email since I hadn't heard anything from them. He said they had. I thought great. I knew I wouldn't get my ticket as early as I might like, but I would at least get it a week before I flew out.
Well, two weeks ago I called Alex again asking about tickets and when he thought they would be sending them out. He was very noncommittal and said in a couple days. I then get worried when last week I still don't have anything after he tells me two days. I call a couple times that week and finally get him to tell me that it will be on the 16th. I don't have anymore information. That at least, thankfully, gave me enough to plan on how to get to Tbilisi on time.
Tuesday night before leaving for Tbilisi, I check my email for a ticket. No ticket. I take the train (and yes I love foreign trains, too) on Wednesday morning. I get into to Tbilisi and take a taxi to the TLG office to hand in my phone and get my certificate before leaving on Thursday early morning. Only when I get to the office I find out that they are still waiting for my ticket. OK, I'll admit panic sets in a bit. Alex gets my ticket in about an hour from when I arrive. The ticket says I'm leaving on Friday and on a different airline!! Ah this so was not in my back-up plan.
I spend the night in a wonderful hostel called Old Town Hostel . They literally have everything that a nice hotel will have all at a cheaper rate. (Wifi, showers, TV, clean rooms, a common room, great location) They have been great.
This morning I woke up obscenely early for Georgian time, 7 AM. I then proceeded to check out all the tourist hotspots before the sun gets hot and people are crowding the walkways. It was wonderful. I'm glad in many ways for the extra time. I didn't get to explore the city much when I was here for training. It has costs me a bit more than I anticipated. I was supposed to be paid the day before leaving. However, even this morning I hadn't been paid for the month of June. It's a good thing I had some savings from each previous month to use for this extra day. I've done a lot of walking and free sites. Yet, food is more expensive in the city and I still have to get to the airport tomorrow.
Now, I've checked my ticket twice today online. The first time today I noticed that I'm back on Turkish Airline. They are who I flew in on and have better luggage requirements than LOT. It's still on the 17th. However, I can't check-in online. It looks like I'm on some sort of wait list for my first flight. I should just go with the flow, but I'm still a bit nervous about the whole thing.
I'll be home, hopefully, late on the 17th. I am missing family and friends and normal sandwiches and my animals. See you soon.
Getting your ticket from a Georgian travel agency is like trying to solve non-linear equations with your 8th grade math book. The basic skills should theoretically help you at least gain a very general idea of what is happening. Can I, using my skills of traveling in America, gain a general idea of what is happening with my trip home? Nope. It just isn't going to happen. A difficult task has become completely impossible and not the fun impossible of "oh, look I found infinity."
Many, many mouths ago I emailed TLG telling them I would not be extending my contract. I would need to fly home between June 15-17 because I would be assisting a mission trip in Chicago. I did this probably three times all within each new deadline. Two months ago I specifically emailed Alex, the flight coordinator, to make sure he received my email since I hadn't heard anything from them. He said they had. I thought great. I knew I wouldn't get my ticket as early as I might like, but I would at least get it a week before I flew out.
Well, two weeks ago I called Alex again asking about tickets and when he thought they would be sending them out. He was very noncommittal and said in a couple days. I then get worried when last week I still don't have anything after he tells me two days. I call a couple times that week and finally get him to tell me that it will be on the 16th. I don't have anymore information. That at least, thankfully, gave me enough to plan on how to get to Tbilisi on time.
Tuesday night before leaving for Tbilisi, I check my email for a ticket. No ticket. I take the train (and yes I love foreign trains, too) on Wednesday morning. I get into to Tbilisi and take a taxi to the TLG office to hand in my phone and get my certificate before leaving on Thursday early morning. Only when I get to the office I find out that they are still waiting for my ticket. OK, I'll admit panic sets in a bit. Alex gets my ticket in about an hour from when I arrive. The ticket says I'm leaving on Friday and on a different airline!! Ah this so was not in my back-up plan.
I spend the night in a wonderful hostel called Old Town Hostel . They literally have everything that a nice hotel will have all at a cheaper rate. (Wifi, showers, TV, clean rooms, a common room, great location) They have been great.
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| Tbilisi Peace Bridge |
Now, I've checked my ticket twice today online. The first time today I noticed that I'm back on Turkish Airline. They are who I flew in on and have better luggage requirements than LOT. It's still on the 17th. However, I can't check-in online. It looks like I'm on some sort of wait list for my first flight. I should just go with the flow, but I'm still a bit nervous about the whole thing.
I'll be home, hopefully, late on the 17th. I am missing family and friends and normal sandwiches and my animals. See you soon.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Cliche Good-bye Post
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| Shannon and I overlooking Kutaisi |
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| My 4th Graders: i.e. the Cutest Kids Ever! |
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| Some of my 11th Graders |
I'm sure that Georgia has impacted me as well. Besides developing a perfect "teacher look", you know that look teachers give you when you are in trouble that makes you feel more guilty than if you had robbed a bank, I have a better handle on classroom management. If I can keep Georgian kids quiet, I can keep anyone quiet! I'm more patient than I every used to be. I still have some work to do on that front, but I've made some noticeable progress. I'll never be entirely comfortable at a supra, but I've learned the important cultural lesson of how to relax and to just go with the flow. I can now make Katchapuri, which will be quite useful when I get home. I've been told by many Georgians that I would make a fortune if I opened a shop selling Katchapuri in America; they're probably right. I'm not sure this next one is an accomplishment or a sign of a deteriorating character, but I can hold my ChaCha pretty well for an American. Maybe it's a sign I'm more fun? Eh, probably not, I'm still pretty nerdy!
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| 10B: A Class I've Only Had for a Couple Months |
I'll be home in about a week. . . so, Good-bye Georgia. I'm starting the next chapter of my adventure.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Independence Day Protests
So, one more post today about something that is making the news here and in the US. Thursday was Georgia's Independence Day from Russia. Most of my neighbors had supras long into the night or celebrated with family. Many major cities like Tbilisi and Batumi had protests run by the Opposition. They hoped to oust the current President, reunite ties with Russia, and encourage freedom of speech. The last issue seems odd to me. My host family or co-teachers have never complained about not having freedom of speech or feeling restricted by their government. The news found on the TV do not paint the protestors to be very peaceful or searching for civil rights. (Yes, I know this has a strong pro-government bias) I see images on the TV of protestors with large white sticks and even an attack on a car. It's hard for me to support the idea of these protestors when I see first-hand the good that the president's reforms are doing, especially in education.
There were some earlier protests last week and then again this week. The embassy sent out emails warning US citizens to avoid the areas where the protests were taking place. I'm certainly very safe here in Poti and didn't have any plans to travel to those cities during the weekend. I get to instead observe the changes from a safe distance. I've attached some links below about the events. If you're interested I suggest you read the short articles. Each one has a different bias.
TIME
New York Times
RT Video (Russia but in English)
A georgian video to come, when my internet decides to cooperate
There were some earlier protests last week and then again this week. The embassy sent out emails warning US citizens to avoid the areas where the protests were taking place. I'm certainly very safe here in Poti and didn't have any plans to travel to those cities during the weekend. I get to instead observe the changes from a safe distance. I've attached some links below about the events. If you're interested I suggest you read the short articles. Each one has a different bias.
TIME
New York Times
RT Video (Russia but in English)
A georgian video to come, when my internet decides to cooperate
Sunshine and Sneezes
Whew! It has been a very busy month. The end of the school year is approaching. This means students are, surprise surprise, even crazier than they have been the last five months. Teachers are working on preparing students for final exams. Classes are going on excursions now that the weather is nice. And, of course, I finally have reached some great levels of communication with my co-teachers inspiring more activities and lessons being led by me. So much to do!
I remember being a student in middle and high school and looking forward to those last few weeks of school. The weather was always really nice. Friends and I would hang out around town after school or after a softball game. I didn't seem to have as much homework. We would just be reviewing for finals. But now I am on the other side of the educational fence. I now hope for rainy days because I know the students will be less likely to shout in class or just want to goof off. Discipline isn't a problem so much as noise level and keeping students focused. The short attention spans of my students have just gotten shorter, which I thought was impossible! lol
I'm helping my co-teachers to also prepare final exams. I'm really excited to be involved with this. Georgian teachers are being asked to find new ways of evaluating students and to be more open to western educational practices. Tests are often just focused on one issues and don't allow for multiple learning styles. I'm hoping that my additions to the finals will allow for a broader assessments (listening, comprehension, writing, grammar, creativity). We'll see how the students do in a couple of weeks.
I've been asked to go on many excursions or field trips. I'm trying to go on as many as possible not just because it's a free trip but because it gives my students a chance to interact with me outside of the classroom and use English in a more practical environment. The problem is that on GMT, Georgian Maybe Time, you never know when you are really leaving or other important details. It's frustrating that tomorrow's trip has been canceled. I said no to another class because my 7th graders asked me first. Now they aren't going until next weekend. Ah well, live and learn, I guess.
The weather is fabulous. It's sunny most of the time. We get a nice breeze off the sea to keep the high 70 to 80 degree weather from becoming overwhelming. I love my walks around Poti even more now. However, it seems that their is some flowering tree somewhere that makes my allergies crazy. I'm taking some Russian Allergy tablets but they don't seem to be working. This new pollen has extended my usual spring misery into a much longer ordeal. I am looking forward to the end of spring here. I'm told summer is only a week or two away. I should be out of the pollen by then. At the same time that's about when I'll be going back to America, too.
Stay safe all my American friends who are dealing with the crazy storms there!
I remember being a student in middle and high school and looking forward to those last few weeks of school. The weather was always really nice. Friends and I would hang out around town after school or after a softball game. I didn't seem to have as much homework. We would just be reviewing for finals. But now I am on the other side of the educational fence. I now hope for rainy days because I know the students will be less likely to shout in class or just want to goof off. Discipline isn't a problem so much as noise level and keeping students focused. The short attention spans of my students have just gotten shorter, which I thought was impossible! lol
I'm helping my co-teachers to also prepare final exams. I'm really excited to be involved with this. Georgian teachers are being asked to find new ways of evaluating students and to be more open to western educational practices. Tests are often just focused on one issues and don't allow for multiple learning styles. I'm hoping that my additions to the finals will allow for a broader assessments (listening, comprehension, writing, grammar, creativity). We'll see how the students do in a couple of weeks.
I've been asked to go on many excursions or field trips. I'm trying to go on as many as possible not just because it's a free trip but because it gives my students a chance to interact with me outside of the classroom and use English in a more practical environment. The problem is that on GMT, Georgian Maybe Time, you never know when you are really leaving or other important details. It's frustrating that tomorrow's trip has been canceled. I said no to another class because my 7th graders asked me first. Now they aren't going until next weekend. Ah well, live and learn, I guess.
The weather is fabulous. It's sunny most of the time. We get a nice breeze off the sea to keep the high 70 to 80 degree weather from becoming overwhelming. I love my walks around Poti even more now. However, it seems that their is some flowering tree somewhere that makes my allergies crazy. I'm taking some Russian Allergy tablets but they don't seem to be working. This new pollen has extended my usual spring misery into a much longer ordeal. I am looking forward to the end of spring here. I'm told summer is only a week or two away. I should be out of the pollen by then. At the same time that's about when I'll be going back to America, too.
Stay safe all my American friends who are dealing with the crazy storms there!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Oh, If Only I had a Calendar!
I'm going to share a quick funny story that happened today. I must first though explain that Thursday we did not have school because it was St. Andrew's Day. On Friday, I also did not have school due to my changed schedule resulting from not working with one teacher anymore. This means that I had a four day weekend.
Now, on to the story.
I woke up late this morning, feeling kinda lazy. It wasn't a big deal since I don't have classes on Monday until 12:20pm. I proceed to take a shower and get dressed. Than I go downstairs and quickly eat lunch before heading off to school. I walk almost all the way to school before I spot a 7th grader who is walking about in street clothes not his uniform when he should be in class. I think that maybe he's skipping for some other event. I don't stop him or talk to him. At the corner street of the school I see a 6th grader helping this elderly woman with some bags. He also should be in class or at least his uniform. He is not. I get to school and realize as I walk through the doors that it's a big quite. I go to my first classroom and realize that it is empty. I'm very confused at this point.
I text my co-teacher and receive no response. I text a fellow volunteer, Shannon, and receive no response. I decide to walk home and see if I can't get a hold of my co-teacher before the lesson for 4th grade are supposed to begin. Maybe the first set of lessons were shortened again? As I'm walking through the market I spot my co-teacher. I ask her if classes have been canceled. She looks a little confused and replied that of course there wasn't class today.
And then it dawned on me. . . Today is Sunday.
That's right folks I went to school on a Sunday for no other reason than I am obviously not intelligent enough to look at a calendar. I guess this just shows how excited I am to be teaching. I just want to teach everyday. lol
Now, on to the story.
I woke up late this morning, feeling kinda lazy. It wasn't a big deal since I don't have classes on Monday until 12:20pm. I proceed to take a shower and get dressed. Than I go downstairs and quickly eat lunch before heading off to school. I walk almost all the way to school before I spot a 7th grader who is walking about in street clothes not his uniform when he should be in class. I think that maybe he's skipping for some other event. I don't stop him or talk to him. At the corner street of the school I see a 6th grader helping this elderly woman with some bags. He also should be in class or at least his uniform. He is not. I get to school and realize as I walk through the doors that it's a big quite. I go to my first classroom and realize that it is empty. I'm very confused at this point.
I text my co-teacher and receive no response. I text a fellow volunteer, Shannon, and receive no response. I decide to walk home and see if I can't get a hold of my co-teacher before the lesson for 4th grade are supposed to begin. Maybe the first set of lessons were shortened again? As I'm walking through the market I spot my co-teacher. I ask her if classes have been canceled. She looks a little confused and replied that of course there wasn't class today.
And then it dawned on me. . . Today is Sunday.
That's right folks I went to school on a Sunday for no other reason than I am obviously not intelligent enough to look at a calendar. I guess this just shows how excited I am to be teaching. I just want to teach everyday. lol
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Quest for a Marshutka Proof Bag
Marshutkas are crowed, smelly mini buses. They are the standard form of transportation in every city and between cities here in Georgia. The great thing about them is that they are cheap and easily spotted. The bad thing about them is they are excruciatingly uncomfortable. You get smashed against the windows, or worse two strangers. Most of these strangers do not bathe as frequently as my timid American nose is used to. If you are carrying anything with you from a purse to a luggage bag, you had better hope that it can survive being crushed even more than your body and being thrown around some. Finding a bag that satisfies these requirements and can carry a 17" laptop is a tedious and frustrating journey.
I first attempted to find a large black purse in the Poti market that would fit my English books and laptop. Most Georgian women walk around all stylish and posh with a large metal studded, fake leather purse. My purse just didn't fit the requirements of Georgian streets even if it did fit all my books; which it didn't. (For the record, I never buy any bag unless it can fit at least one standard paperback book ;) Not always the easiest thing to achieve.)I bought two different bags that fit the requirements and had both break and be torn apart in one week. The continual rain and tribulations of riding in marshutkas did them in. I gave up on style at that point and just wanted to find a sturdy bag that would fit all my stuff. Weeks of searching yielding nothing. I even recruited volunteers in other cities to help me search.
Finally, I ordered ThinkGeek.com's "Bag of Holding". My dearest parents then shipped that and my kindle (New purse requirement: must fit kindle. Who knew life could be so easy!) over here to Georgia. I was told that the service I used, usa2georgia.com, would provide courier service to Poti. They did not. I can't complain, though, since it only cost me 45 GEL to ship a medium sized package to Georgia. That's a steal compared to the $300 with USPS or FedEx. The problem remained on how to get the package from Tbilisi, the capital, six hours away.
Yesterday, I braved the mountain roads by boarding a marshutka in the morning headed to Tbilisi. This one was crowded but not terribly so. I could keep to myself with my MP3 player. It was a long ride, six hours. None of the marshutkas have new or comfortable seats. Eventually, your but will hurt from sitting so long. Mine did.
When I got to Tbilisi, I met Ana in a taxi. She helped me translate to the driver where I needed to go. I picked up the package at the station from a super nice and English speaking woman. TLG or ex-patriots in Georgia, www.usa2georgia.com is definitely the way to get supplies from the states. They were awesome. After that we stopped at McDonalds for a hamburger. I'm not a fan at home in the states, but seeing those golden arches did make me smile a bit. The food is mostly the same. The menus just don't have prices, are written in Georgian, and don't feature any value meals or the dollar menu. In another taxi, I headed to the bus station again. All of this took a little over an hour. Perfect timing! I managed to get on the last bus headed back to Poti by five o'clock.
The marshutka going back was even more crowded than the first. I was squished in the back seat. I sat next to a very nice and friendly Georgian man from Telavi. The only problem was that I could tell that he distinctly was not wearing deodorant. It was kinda gross!
I can though, say that my new bag is marshutka proof. It was all worth the effort. I have triumphed over evil, righted wrongs, and proven my worth. . . as a marshutka passenger.
I first attempted to find a large black purse in the Poti market that would fit my English books and laptop. Most Georgian women walk around all stylish and posh with a large metal studded, fake leather purse. My purse just didn't fit the requirements of Georgian streets even if it did fit all my books; which it didn't. (For the record, I never buy any bag unless it can fit at least one standard paperback book ;) Not always the easiest thing to achieve.)I bought two different bags that fit the requirements and had both break and be torn apart in one week. The continual rain and tribulations of riding in marshutkas did them in. I gave up on style at that point and just wanted to find a sturdy bag that would fit all my stuff. Weeks of searching yielding nothing. I even recruited volunteers in other cities to help me search.
Finally, I ordered ThinkGeek.com's "Bag of Holding". My dearest parents then shipped that and my kindle (New purse requirement: must fit kindle. Who knew life could be so easy!) over here to Georgia. I was told that the service I used, usa2georgia.com, would provide courier service to Poti. They did not. I can't complain, though, since it only cost me 45 GEL to ship a medium sized package to Georgia. That's a steal compared to the $300 with USPS or FedEx. The problem remained on how to get the package from Tbilisi, the capital, six hours away.
Yesterday, I braved the mountain roads by boarding a marshutka in the morning headed to Tbilisi. This one was crowded but not terribly so. I could keep to myself with my MP3 player. It was a long ride, six hours. None of the marshutkas have new or comfortable seats. Eventually, your but will hurt from sitting so long. Mine did.
When I got to Tbilisi, I met Ana in a taxi. She helped me translate to the driver where I needed to go. I picked up the package at the station from a super nice and English speaking woman. TLG or ex-patriots in Georgia, www.usa2georgia.com is definitely the way to get supplies from the states. They were awesome. After that we stopped at McDonalds for a hamburger. I'm not a fan at home in the states, but seeing those golden arches did make me smile a bit. The food is mostly the same. The menus just don't have prices, are written in Georgian, and don't feature any value meals or the dollar menu. In another taxi, I headed to the bus station again. All of this took a little over an hour. Perfect timing! I managed to get on the last bus headed back to Poti by five o'clock.
The marshutka going back was even more crowded than the first. I was squished in the back seat. I sat next to a very nice and friendly Georgian man from Telavi. The only problem was that I could tell that he distinctly was not wearing deodorant. It was kinda gross!
I can though, say that my new bag is marshutka proof. It was all worth the effort. I have triumphed over evil, righted wrongs, and proven my worth. . . as a marshutka passenger.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
East Traditions
I first want to mention that I spent last weekend in Zugdidi with some other TLG volunteers. The volunteers in this city were hosting a Karaoke Night for the schools in Japan to help rebuild from the earthquakes. There were many volunteers that showed up. Together we raised over 300 GEL! We had some drinks around town and spent the night at a great new hostel. The owner, Regina, opened early for the event. She is a past TLG volunteer and amazing. The place was really nice even though they were still working on remodeling it. If you ever find yourself in Zugdidi, Georgia, stop there for a night. It's well worth the reasonable amount of 20 GEL. It was a blast.
I also spent some time walking aro und the Palace on Palm Sunday. The small church is next to the palace. Women were all over the gardens selling small baskets of palms. These aren't the palms that we use in the states. Instead they use a small bush that grows faster for the day. The church was so crowed that people were waiting outside in large groups waiting to catch part of the services.
This is a picture of the church next to the Palace.
I stayed home for our long break. Nino and Gocha's kids came to Poti. Their two sons and the oldest's wife are here until Monday. The house is filled with a gigantic amount of food. It doesn't even fit in the fridge. We have two regular cakes and five Pacas or Easter Cake (it's essentially hot cross buns done in a cake form) It's a good thing, too, since there seems to be some new friend or family member at every meal. Lots of people going in and out. Everyone is just talking and eating and enjoying each other's company. It's nice but awkward at the same time. I only understand half of the conversations. I also feel like I'm invading into something I shouldn't be. Nino and Gocha don't get to see their kids much anymore. I try to give them space to talk without worrying about entertaining me. It's an interesting balance for managing my time spent with the family and alone.
The really great tradition here that is similar to the states is dying eggs! They only use red dye to symbolize the blood of Christ being shed. My family then put plastic pictures around the eggs for added decoration. During lent many families have been growing wheatgrass for this weekend. They put the eggs in the grass or around it. It's a nice reminder of the greenhouses at home.
This is a picture of the church next to the Palace.
The really great tradition here that is similar to the states is dying eggs! They only use red dye to symbolize the blood of Christ being shed. My family then put plastic pictures around the eggs for added decoration. During lent many families have been growing wheatgrass for this weekend. They put the eggs in the grass or around it. It's a nice reminder of the greenhouses at home.
It's an exciting weekend filled with people and food, a perfect way to celebrate spring and Christ rising. Happy Easter!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
An End and A Beginning
My troubles with the Difficult Teacher are over.
On Monday, this teacher once again randomly decided to have me to an entire lesson on my own. She has increasingly surprising me with lessons for a couple of weeks now. I have no problem ad-libbing a lesson everyone once and a while. Doing it on a regular basis is another thing. I asked her after class if she could give me a two day warning. This way I have time to write a good lesson plan. She thought I should always write a lesson plan. I tried first explaining that just following the book exercises in order is not a lesson plan, especially not for such a terrible old book. I also tried to explain that my writing a lesson plan without her doesn't work if I don't know what she's going to cover before or after my lesson. I offered to meet with her once a week so we could discuss plans. This is where she told me, "I don't want your help planning. I don't want your help in my class. I never wanted you in my classes." She also went on to describe how I was inexperienced. She believes that I need lesson plans only because I've never taught this class before. She doesn't need lesson plans because she's been doing the same lesson plan for the last forty years. (I didn't even try to explain how a lesson forty years ago was not going to work for students today in the 21st century) I will admit that at this point I was a bit frustrated. I've been trying for three months to establish re-pore with this woman with no success. I gave her my volunteer experience and education university work. She seemed socked that I actually had some experience. She quickly recovered and said, "All of that doesn't matter. You have not finished University. You have no experience."
The discussion did not work well. I decided that since she really felt so strongly about not wanting me, I would honor that desire. I asked the director to give me another co-teacher to work with. I have left all my classes with the Difficult Teacher. Now I work with a nice woman for 7th, 9th and 10th grade. She's already asked me to bring in media for the class. I'm allowed to read and correct student's work. We already work better together after four lessons than Difficult Teacher and I ever did. I'm excited for what we can do together. I think the change will improve my mood immensely. I will miss my other students. However, I'll still see them around school. They know that I care about them and their education.
On Monday, this teacher once again randomly decided to have me to an entire lesson on my own. She has increasingly surprising me with lessons for a couple of weeks now. I have no problem ad-libbing a lesson everyone once and a while. Doing it on a regular basis is another thing. I asked her after class if she could give me a two day warning. This way I have time to write a good lesson plan. She thought I should always write a lesson plan. I tried first explaining that just following the book exercises in order is not a lesson plan, especially not for such a terrible old book. I also tried to explain that my writing a lesson plan without her doesn't work if I don't know what she's going to cover before or after my lesson. I offered to meet with her once a week so we could discuss plans. This is where she told me, "I don't want your help planning. I don't want your help in my class. I never wanted you in my classes." She also went on to describe how I was inexperienced. She believes that I need lesson plans only because I've never taught this class before. She doesn't need lesson plans because she's been doing the same lesson plan for the last forty years. (I didn't even try to explain how a lesson forty years ago was not going to work for students today in the 21st century) I will admit that at this point I was a bit frustrated. I've been trying for three months to establish re-pore with this woman with no success. I gave her my volunteer experience and education university work. She seemed socked that I actually had some experience. She quickly recovered and said, "All of that doesn't matter. You have not finished University. You have no experience."
The discussion did not work well. I decided that since she really felt so strongly about not wanting me, I would honor that desire. I asked the director to give me another co-teacher to work with. I have left all my classes with the Difficult Teacher. Now I work with a nice woman for 7th, 9th and 10th grade. She's already asked me to bring in media for the class. I'm allowed to read and correct student's work. We already work better together after four lessons than Difficult Teacher and I ever did. I'm excited for what we can do together. I think the change will improve my mood immensely. I will miss my other students. However, I'll still see them around school. They know that I care about them and their education.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
A Growing Bookshelf
If you know me personally, you know that I have a severe love obsession with books. The first thing I fretted over when packing for my first year of college was how many books I could fit into our tiny car. Half of my belongings packed up before I left for Georgia was just books. I have to keep a tight grip on the part of my budget for books or else I can easily get carried away.
Now, I'm in a new country with its own language and its own books. I, of course, had to buy a big dictionary for my class work and lesson plans. Then I bought a small children's book to help me learn Georgian. Just last week, I found a cook book of traditional dishes in Georgian I can translate. My Georgian bookshelf is growing.
There are wonderful little book sellers at the Poti market. Some have books in English as well as Georgians. The problem for me is that I see these sellers everyday walking home from school. When I go back to the US I won't be able to get books that are written in Georgian, especially at these prices. The cook book I got would be $30 in the states. Here it was only 19 GEL which is closer to $12. I could buy Harry Potter or even The Hobbit in Georgian and spend less than in the states. The temptation is almost endless here.
At the same time, some of my students can't get their English books for class. Students are required to find and buy all their books outside of the school. It isn't like attending college where you can just use a number of websites like Abebooks.com or amazon.com to find a cheap copy. Textbooks here are limited to mostly used books sold back and forth between the different markets in many of the cities. You can't always find the version you want or a book with all the pages. I don't know how families are able to find the books that they do. I certainly can't find all the books I need for class at the market. I had the Resource Center help me order them.
The Minister of Education is well aware of this problem. He has worked hard this past year to work out a deal for better English books at a cheaper price for all schools. At the meeting we had in Zugdidi where we, TLG volunteers, met him, he explained the new changes. Teachers will get a free pack of books and resources. This is great because teachers spend even more money on books than students and often can't get all of the resources like test booklets. The books for students will also be a low price of 10 GEL. Hopefully, the books will be lacking in the errors found in the current books.
Books aren't the only changes happening in the educational system here. Teachers are growing through a new certification process. Schools are being renovated. Students are receiving computers if they do well. National exams are also being instituted for University admittance. Vocational schools are also being updated and expanded. I could go on with more details. However, the important part to stress is that this is a lot of change. From my outside perspective, great and needed changes. Natives seem mixed. Many teachers and parents I talk to think it's great, too. Some teachers feel like it's too much change and not enough training and support. Either way, it's an exciting time to be here. I wish I could stay longer and see it all come to fruition.
Now, I'm in a new country with its own language and its own books. I, of course, had to buy a big dictionary for my class work and lesson plans. Then I bought a small children's book to help me learn Georgian. Just last week, I found a cook book of traditional dishes in Georgian I can translate. My Georgian bookshelf is growing.
There are wonderful little book sellers at the Poti market. Some have books in English as well as Georgians. The problem for me is that I see these sellers everyday walking home from school. When I go back to the US I won't be able to get books that are written in Georgian, especially at these prices. The cook book I got would be $30 in the states. Here it was only 19 GEL which is closer to $12. I could buy Harry Potter or even The Hobbit in Georgian and spend less than in the states. The temptation is almost endless here.
At the same time, some of my students can't get their English books for class. Students are required to find and buy all their books outside of the school. It isn't like attending college where you can just use a number of websites like Abebooks.com or amazon.com to find a cheap copy. Textbooks here are limited to mostly used books sold back and forth between the different markets in many of the cities. You can't always find the version you want or a book with all the pages. I don't know how families are able to find the books that they do. I certainly can't find all the books I need for class at the market. I had the Resource Center help me order them.
The Minister of Education is well aware of this problem. He has worked hard this past year to work out a deal for better English books at a cheaper price for all schools. At the meeting we had in Zugdidi where we, TLG volunteers, met him, he explained the new changes. Teachers will get a free pack of books and resources. This is great because teachers spend even more money on books than students and often can't get all of the resources like test booklets. The books for students will also be a low price of 10 GEL. Hopefully, the books will be lacking in the errors found in the current books.
Books aren't the only changes happening in the educational system here. Teachers are growing through a new certification process. Schools are being renovated. Students are receiving computers if they do well. National exams are also being instituted for University admittance. Vocational schools are also being updated and expanded. I could go on with more details. However, the important part to stress is that this is a lot of change. From my outside perspective, great and needed changes. Natives seem mixed. Many teachers and parents I talk to think it's great, too. Some teachers feel like it's too much change and not enough training and support. Either way, it's an exciting time to be here. I wish I could stay longer and see it all come to fruition.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Where Danni Rants on the Philisophical Differences between Soviet Education and American Progressivism and the Misfortunes of Monday Mornings
I have a difficult teacher. We don't see eye to eye on a lot of issues. Mainly, we don't agree on a basic philosophy about education. Today that difference became the focal point for yet another communication conflict.
A student was having problems spelling a word on the board. I was helping him sound out his mistakes when the difficult teacher started screaming at him in Georgian. When she finished, I asked her why she was screaming at him. She told me that the homework was for these simple past forms of the verbs to be memorized. She then had another student come up to the board and finish the work.
I would like to blame my next actions on it being Monday morning and not being entirely awake yet. But, in reality, it was more I couldn't stand not saying something directly about this issue to her. I've gently hinted and pushed at it before. My patience only lasts for so long. I should have waited till after class to bring it up. I was just afraid that she would once again ignore me in the hall or teacher's lounge because she was "busy" or it was too "noisy" to talk.
I told her flat out that I didn't think we should yell at students for making simple mistakes. It was our job as teachers to guide students into discovering knowledge and help them gain confidence in their language skills. She was shocked. She didn't understand why I wouldn't yell at a student. "It's the rule" that students are punished when they don't do the work. I explained my philosophy that all children can learn and our talented class just needed some positive reinforcement to fulfill their potential. Screaming at children is not, in anyway, positive. Of course, my co-teacher just turned around saying she didn't understand my problem so it wasn't important.
I'm frustrated when I work with this co-teacher. I don't know how to help her see that her actions make students fear or mock her. I don't know how to help her be open to learning new material. I don't know how to help her students when she refuses to allow me any room to show by example what the class is really capable of.
The students understood far more of our conversation than I think my co-teacher realizes. They were smiling and laughing at us. (Frankly, even I knew how ridiculous having the conversation in the middle of class was. Not one of my best moves.) They work hard when I get to do a lesson. The shy students actually participate when I get to do an activity. We could do so much for these students if she'd just be willing to compromise a little.
There is a very evil part of me that hopes she doesn't pass her teacher exams (part of the new educational reforms) by 2014. Then no other student or co-teacher will have to deal with her attitude.
A student was having problems spelling a word on the board. I was helping him sound out his mistakes when the difficult teacher started screaming at him in Georgian. When she finished, I asked her why she was screaming at him. She told me that the homework was for these simple past forms of the verbs to be memorized. She then had another student come up to the board and finish the work.
I would like to blame my next actions on it being Monday morning and not being entirely awake yet. But, in reality, it was more I couldn't stand not saying something directly about this issue to her. I've gently hinted and pushed at it before. My patience only lasts for so long. I should have waited till after class to bring it up. I was just afraid that she would once again ignore me in the hall or teacher's lounge because she was "busy" or it was too "noisy" to talk.
I told her flat out that I didn't think we should yell at students for making simple mistakes. It was our job as teachers to guide students into discovering knowledge and help them gain confidence in their language skills. She was shocked. She didn't understand why I wouldn't yell at a student. "It's the rule" that students are punished when they don't do the work. I explained my philosophy that all children can learn and our talented class just needed some positive reinforcement to fulfill their potential. Screaming at children is not, in anyway, positive. Of course, my co-teacher just turned around saying she didn't understand my problem so it wasn't important.
I'm frustrated when I work with this co-teacher. I don't know how to help her see that her actions make students fear or mock her. I don't know how to help her be open to learning new material. I don't know how to help her students when she refuses to allow me any room to show by example what the class is really capable of.
The students understood far more of our conversation than I think my co-teacher realizes. They were smiling and laughing at us. (Frankly, even I knew how ridiculous having the conversation in the middle of class was. Not one of my best moves.) They work hard when I get to do a lesson. The shy students actually participate when I get to do an activity. We could do so much for these students if she'd just be willing to compromise a little.
There is a very evil part of me that hopes she doesn't pass her teacher exams (part of the new educational reforms) by 2014. Then no other student or co-teacher will have to deal with her attitude.